The impact of child and adolescent health on adult respiratory health: the evidence, gaps and priorities

Abstract

Chronic respiratory diseases impart a huge global disease burden. Many cases of adult chronic respiratory disorders are recognised to originate early in life during critical phases of lung growth and development. We therefore reviewed the longitudinal evolution of common childhood respiratory diseases across the lifespan. We included studies relating childhood respiratory health (preterm birth, asthma, low lung function or bronchiectasis) to respiratory health in adolescents and adults, including COPD. The negative impact of preterm birth (with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia) on future respiratory health has now been quantified, with many having increasing deviation of lung function f..